Microsoft Brings Original Xbox Games to PC and Handhelds
Microsoft has released Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC earlier than expected. The company made the announcement on Wednesday. This move lets players enjoy select original Xbox titles on Windows PCs and compatible handheld devices for the first time.
The initial lineup includes four classic games. These are BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. Players can access them through the Xbox app on PC. Every Xbox Game Pass tier also includes the titles. Microsoft plans to add more backwards-compatible Xbox games over time.
Xbox first introduced Backward Compatibility in 2015. At that time, it allowed select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games to run on newer consoles. The company is now extending the same feature to PCs and Windows-based gaming handhelds. Supported handhelds include the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.
Players can buy the four titles individually through the Xbox app in supported regions. They also come with all Xbox Game Pass plans. Anyone who already owns a digital license for these games on an Xbox console will automatically gain access to the PC and handheld versions. As a result, these classic titles can now run across Xbox consoles, PCs, supported handhelds, and the cloud.
Achievement support is not available yet. However, Microsoft plans to add Achievements to select original Xbox games later this year.
System Requirements
Microsoft set clear hardware needs for the feature. Players must run Windows 11. The system needs at least 8GB of RAM and 4GB of video memory. Graphics drivers should also stay updated to the latest versions available as of January 2026.
On the graphics side, the minimum requirement is an Nvidia GeForce GTX 950, AMD Radeon RX 550, or Intel Arc A310. The processor should have four cores and eight threads. Supported examples include the Intel Core i3-10300, AMD Ryzen 3 3100, and AMD Ryzen Z2 A.
For better performance, Microsoft recommends up to 16GB of RAM and 8GB of video memory. Suitable GPUs include the AMD Radeon RX 6800S, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Ti, or Intel Arc A770. The recommended processor should offer at least six cores and 12 threads. Desktop options include the Intel Core i5-10400 and AMD Ryzen 5 3600. For handhelds, the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme is listed.
Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC is now available in early release in supported regions.
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